Device for Selection of Symbols, Such as Characters, Icons and/or Multiple Choices

ABSTRACT

A compact electric device for coding and selecting characters, symbols and/or multiple choices, includes a matrix carrying a plurality of contact or proximity sensors ( 1,2,3,4,5,5,7,8 ), an activation member ( 10 ) of sensors and a single selection key ( 22 ). This key is operated by the user for bringing in turn the activation member at least partially in coincidence with at least a first and a second of the sensors, for transmitting a selectively different coded signal for each respective different sensor. The matrix comprises a first group of sensors ( 1,2,3 ), having function of selection of respective matrix fields, and a second group of sensors ( 4,5,6,7,8 ), having function of selection of characters associated to each matrix field. The sensors are distributed on the matrix according to modular zones, having a central zone ( 0 ) and radial sector zones (A, B, C,D).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device for coding and selectingcharacters, icons and/or multiple choices, based on the use of a singleinput element (single key), which can be operated according to differenttrajectories controlled directly by a uses. In the following descriptionwith the term “symbol” generically a character, an icon, a command forexample of the multiple choice type, are defined.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The need is felt in many devices, which in use provide an electroniccontroller, to introduce data through an input element.

Normally, an alphanumeric keyboard is provided; special pivoting keysalso exist, which allow a limited number of multiple choices, typicallyfour.

It is also much known the need of miniaturization of some electronicdevices, such as mobile phones and “palm top” computers, as well askeyboards for dashboards, for example on a steering wheel.

Such miniaturization is often limited by the need to provide a keyboardwhose size allows to operate easily the relative keys, owing to thetypical size of the fingers of the hand. In these cases, keyboards areprovided with a limited number of keys, giving to each key morefunctions, determined according to the pushing succession of the keysame. Alternatively, sometimes, if possible, special actuating sticksare provided, which allow the discrimination of the characters even witha reduced size on the keyboard.

This last possibility, however, can not be generalized, because isrequired the use of ambedue the mani, a for supporting the device andthe other for operating the asticciola, and then because is notadvantageously which can be fixed in extreme conditions to use in outerenvironment.

in the followed of the present description reference is caused to thatthe invention trova its applied on for example as single key of drivingcellular telephones, volanti for auto, etc.; this reference must howeverconsidering purely exemplifying and for nulla limitative, since askilled person is perfectly capable of immaginare uses different all thetimes that it is necessary, or simply suitable, to provide a meansactuating to “single key of drive” for generating signals of differenttipo, both for a user final that for an use in the field of industriale.

Va in any case ricorsince a keyboard alphanumerical for computer has atleast about 90 keys which, differently combinati, is possible digitareat least about 200 characters maximum number or other symbols. Instead,in case of a mobile phonee, where they are normally provided in average15 tasti, for transmitting a number about corresponding high of symbolsmaximum number, to each keys is given a task “multiple”. In other words,each key provides an unit for signals different depending on whetherthey is pressed a solonce or more times in turn approached. Thesetastiere are now very known, and their use is thus common that thepossessori of mobile phone in particular, the more young do not havedifficulty to digitare quickly of the messages (SMS) also enough long.

Since the technology va now always more towards the miniaturization, isput however the problem of as further reducing the size of a system ofdrive, type keyboard, capable of generating a plurality of signalsdifferent easily and intuitivo.

Many types exist of devices adapted to risolvere, even if partially, theproblems above described. For example, WO2004072837 describes a inputdevice with a monokey that can be operated in different directionswithin the radius of action of a finger for allowing the input of manycontrols. a plurality provides sensor means, arranged according to orderto sentire the approaching or the contact of the key of inputs and formaking a relative signal that is received by a control unit that causesqual sensor has been interessato by the key and associa a correspondingdrive, which can be for example a letter of the alphabeto, a numero,excetera. In this way can be reducing remarkably the size of the deviceof input, allowing a miniaturization of the apparatus electronic thatthe utiliza. This device, however, provides a plurality of groovesarranged for example in the number of 12 each 360°. In each groove canbe arranged more sensors. Then, the user, sceglie one of the twelvedirections and pushes the key in that direction chosen, supering all thesensors up to reaching that predetermined corresponding to the characteror to the drive chosen. This system can put errors of input, since theuser must stillng to the sensor corresponding to the drive chosen, andnot superarlo up to reaching the successive, otherwise the drive changa.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is oriented to solve this problem in a reliableand industrially cost effective way. This result is achieved through thefeatures defined in claims 1 and 14.

The basic idea of the present invention is that of selecting symbols,such as characters, icons and/or multiple choices, providing a matrixhaving a plurality of sensors split into a first group of sensors,having function of choice, and at least a second group of sensors,associated each to a limited number of such symbols. Such sensors can beactivated bringing an activation member at least partially incoincidence with one of said sensors, determining a correspondingselection signal. This way, bringing the activation member in turn on afirst sensor belonging to the first group and then a second sensorbelonging to the second group, it is possible to identify each sensor ofthe first and second group as they are selected, choosing univocally oneamong the limited number of symbols associated to the sensor of thesecond group, in a way responsive to which sensor of the first group hadbeen selected immediately before by said activation member.

This gives a function of “gate” to the sensors of the first group,allowing a unique choice of a symbol associated to a sensor of thesecond group. Furthermore, the possible combinations can be multiplied,covering with a single input device a high number of different symbols.The selection of a symbol is obtained, this way, with a single movementof a finger following a determined path in a minimum radius of actioncausing the activation member or slider to reach different sensors witha single movement, which is sudden, quick, continuous and harmonicwithout detaching the finger from the slider. The activation memberstops then against the edge containing the sensors, assisting themovement and the choice of a desired path.

This way a device is obtained having a very intuitive use capable, withthe practice, to be operated even without looking at the motion that itfollows by the action of a finger.

particular and advantageous aspects of the invention are object of thedependent claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further characteristic and advantages of the invention, as well as itsoperation and the logic actuation, will be better comprised through thedetailed description of some exemplary embodiments, given as an example,shown in the attached drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a first exemplary embodiment of a deviceaccording to the invention, in particular, with a matrix configurationhaving four actuating zones, which can be used in combination withsingle-key actuating means;

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of the matrix configured device ofFIG. 1, arranged as a plane, having a thickness;

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatical three-dimensional view, partially crosssectioned, of a second exemplary embodiment of the device according tothe invention, with spherical configuration;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the same device of FIG. 3, where thecomponent parts are shown;

FIG. 5 is a three-dimensional view, partially exploded, of an exemplaryembodiment similar to FIG. 3, but with a outer and operating guidingsystem by means of a lever or “joystick”;

FIGS. 6A and 6B show respectively a situation of three sensors placedadjacent to one another and a diagram that shows the amplitude of thedetectable signals, which is different responsive to the distance of theselection key from each sensor;

FIG. 7 represents a generic flow-sheet of a control software inconditions of operation;

FIG. 8 shows an exploded perspective view of a possible structure of thefirst exemplary embodiment of the device according to the invention;

FIGS. 9 to 11, show a cross sectional view of three possible variationsof the first exemplary embodiment of the device according to theinvention;

FIGS. 12 and 13 show respectively a top plan view and a cross sectionalview of a possible structure of the second exemplary embodiment of thedevice according to the invention;

FIG. 14 shows an exemplary structure of the solution of FIG. 13 with aresilient membrane, instead of a spring, for controlling the position ofthe selection key;

FIGS. 15 and 16 show two diagrams, relative respectively to theexemplary embodiments of FIG. 1 and of FIG. 8, of the possible selectionpath of the characters, a combination of sensors of the first group withthose of the second group, each path corresponding a differentcharacter;

FIGS. 17 and 18 show two exemplary embodiments of the device, with ahigh number of combinations of possible paths and then of obtainablesymbols;

FIG. 19 shows a device according to the invention mounted on thesteering wheel of a vehicle;

FIG. 20 shows a remote control of prior art and

FIG. 21 shows a remote control of reduced size obtainable using thedevice according to the invention, even if with the same number ofcombinations of the keys of the device of FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 shows a portable computer of prior art and

FIG. 23 shows a portable computer of reduced size obtainable using thedevice according to the invention, even if with the same number ofcombinations of the keys of the portable computer of FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 shows a mobile phone of prior art and

FIGS. 25 and 26 show a mobile phone respectively with display larger orsmaller, obtainable using the device according to the invention, even ifwith the same number of combinations of the keys of the mobile phone ofFIG. 24.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT

As shown in FIGS. 1 or 2, a matrix configuration according to theinvention can have, for example, a cloverleaf shape, with a central restzone O and four working zones A, B, C, D, arranged radially, in a starrays arrangement, with respect to said central zone O. At the centre ofthis zone O an activation member is located, indicated as 10. Theworking zones A, B, C, D, are alike and for each zone (only the sensorsof the zone A are numbered advantageously) three sensors 1, 2 and 3 arearranged in the passageway towards each radial zone, and belong to afirst group of sensors. In each radial zone other five sensors areprovided, distributed at the boundary, as better described hereinafter,and defined by the reference numbers 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8, which belong to asecond group of sensors.

Here and hereinafter a generic “activation member” is referred to, aswell as “sensore”, being it clear that with the first term the deviceindicated as 10 is defined, which is a movable element associated to akey or push button, and with the second term an element indicated as 1up to 8 is defined, which are fixed elements, adapted to measure thepresence or the contact of the activation member. These terms“activation member” and respectively “sensor” must not therefore beinginterpreted narrowly, or in a limitative may, but only as an exemplaryway to define two opposite elements that, when they are in coincidenceor in close proximity with each other, they are capable to emit a codedsignal, specific for each of said sensors and/or of the matrix fieldthat is respectively associated to them.

The activation member 10, as said, is associated to a selection key,here not shown but visible for example in FIG. 8 and indicated with 22,which is located at the central zone or and is manoeuvrable by theoperator. This element, here and hereinafter called simply as “selectionkey”, may have a desired configuration adapted to move the activationmember 10 to it associated with respect to the fixed sensors from 1 to8; such a configuration can be a push button, an actuating stick of thetype used for controlling a “palm top”, or a pin or button or lever ofmanoeuvre hinged at the centre, preferably associated to resilient meansthat, when the lever is operated for displacing the activation member 10towards the radial zones, and then released, tend to bring it backalways towards the centre.

When the selection key is operated towards one of the radial zones,firstly it passes at one of the sensors 1, 2 and 3 of the respectivezone and, thus activating one of them, which for example can be acontact or of proximity sensor, a microswitch, a Hall effect sensor, amagnetoresistive sensor or a active matrix sensor. Depending on whetherthis activation affects sensor 1, 2 or 3, a first, or a second, or athird matrix field associated to said zone is correspondingly selected;these matrix fields can be considered “virtual” because each field isdetermined by the same sensors from 4 to 8 of a specific zone, butconsidered in a different way by the control unit, responsive to whichsensor from 1 to 3 had been pre-selected.

Actually, when the selection key continues its movement up to one ofsensors 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, it activates the selection of one of thecharacters/symbols associated to the selected sensor and respectively tothe first, to the second i.e. to the third matrix field.

Possible combinations of paths, respectively for the configurations ofFIG. 1 and of FIG. 8, are shown in FIGS. 15 and 16.

For a better understanding of this arrangement of the present invention,the following example is, with reference to FIG. 1 and to FIG. 15:

-   -   In this example three matrix fields are associated to zone A,        indicated as fields 1, 2 and respectively 3;    -   field 1 is associated to sensor 1, field 2 is associated to the        sensor 2 and field 3 is associated to sensor 3 of the first        group of sensors;    -   to matrix field 1 five characters are associated, for example        corresponding to the letters “a”, “b”, “c”, “d”, “e”, and these        characters are associated respectively to sensors 4, 5, 6, 7, 8        of the second group of sensors;    -   furthermore, to field 2 are also associated five characters,        different from the characters of field 1, for example        corresponding to the letters “f”, “g”, “h”, “i”, “j”, in turn        associated always respectively to sensors 4, 5, 6, 7, 8;    -   finally to field 3 are associated further five characters, for        example corresponding to letters “k”, “l”, “m”, “n”, “o”, in        turn associated always respectively to sensors 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.

When the selection key moves for example towards zone A, it isintentionally brought to slide in the vicinity of one of sensors 1, 2 or3 of the first group, as desired, for example sensor 2, thus activatingmatrix field 2. Moving on within the zone A, the selection key is thenbrought at one of the five sensors of the second group, which arearranged according to this zone A; for example the sensor chosen issensor 5, activating as defined above the character corresponding toletter “g”; this character corresponds in fact to sensor 5 of secondmatrix field 2.

In addition, citing two additional exemplary arrangements, if theselection key is maintained for a short time at the selected sensor, orif it is pressed in this position, at the letter “g”, low case, then theletter “G” upper case is selected. Other equivalent solutions areobvious to the skilled person.

It is clear that to each zone A, B, C or D three matrix fieldscorrespond and to each of these fields five characters correspond,therefore fifteen characters for zone, i.e. sixty characters ordifferent symbols in the combination of the four zones. On the otherhand, it is apparent that this is a simple example and that it is veryeasy for a skilled person to design a matrix that, instead of havingfour cloverleaf zones and five sensors for each zone, it has a differentnumber of zone and a different number of sensors for each zone.

An example of this arrangement is given in FIGS. 16, 17 and 18. In thefirst case, FIG. 16, for each zone A-D two sensors of the first groupare provided, indicated as 1 and 2 for zone A, and three sensors of thesecond group, indicated as 3, 4, 5 for zone A. This device, by twentysensors, allows to select up to 24 symbols or characters for each modeof operation of the selection key 10.

In the latter case, FIG. 17, the four zones A-D are four respectivequadrants, having common sides. This way, for each zone A-D threesensors of the first group are provided, indicated as 1-3 for zone A,and nineteen sensors of the second group, indicated as 4-8 for zone A.This device, by means of 68 sensors, allows to select up to 228 symbolsor characters for each mode of operation of the selection key 10. Thissolution with adjacent quadrants is very effective since it is possibleto put in common sensors at the border between two adjacent zones, i.e.the common sides, as in the case of sensors 4 and 8. In fact, even ifbeing shared by two adjacent zones, the sensors 4 and 8 arediscriminated according to the path followed for the respective zone,recognizing the respective sensor of the first group, 1 or 2 in case ofzone A.

In a way similar to FIG. 17, in the third case of FIG. 18, there is adivision into fields with common sides. In particular, there areseventytwo sensors split into eight zone A-H, for each zone two sensorsof the first group are provided, indicated as 1-2 for zone A, and ninesensors of the second group, indicated as 4, 5 and 8 for zone A. Thisdevice, allows selecting up to 176 symbols or characters for each modeof operation of the selection key.

The sensors 4-8 for all the zones and for various exemplary embodimentsshown up to here, can be made within the edges of the zone or at theedges same. The same occurs for the gate sensors indicated as 1 and 3,excluded sensor 2 that is located at the centre.

To this purpose the transmission of a coded signal from one of thesensors from 1 to 8 takes place not only when the activation member 10moves in perfect coincidence with one of them; it is enough that theactivation member 10 moves close to one of them to select it, at adistance nearer than for the others. Actually, the motion of theactivation member 10 near a desired sensor 1 to 8 provides an electricsignal, for example by Hall effect, which is proportional to the overlapof the active surfaces of such sensors. It is not necessary, as alreadymentioned, that the passage on sensor occurs with high precision, butonly the strongest signal, i.e. proximity to a sensor, higher withrespect to the other sensors near it. This aspect is diagrammaticallyshown in FIGS. 6A and 6B with reference, for example, to the threesensors 1, 2, 3 that are located, with reference for example to FIGS. 1,2 or 15, on the passageway of activation member 10 when it is moved fromthe central position towards one of zones A, B, C or D, for example zoneA.

Always with reference to FIG. 6A, when activation member 10 movesapproximately towards sensor 2, on it a signal “S2” is generated that,as shown in FIG. 6B, has an amplitude higher than signals “S1” and “S3”obtained for sensors 1 and respectively 3. The central electroniccontrol unit is then capable to discriminate among these differentsignal amplitudes and therefore to consider sensor 2 activated, i.e.that for which the signal has higher amplitude. The same occurs, forexample, when a user moves activation member 10 in zone A, towards oneof the sensors 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 of the second group (for example alwayswith reference to FIGS. 1, 2 or 15), arranged approximately along theborder of zone A.

The action of the finger of the hand on the selection key, for reachingthe different sensors, in particular, sensors 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 located onthe contour of each radial zones A, B, C, etc., is carried out in a wayassisted by stopping the selection key against the edge of each zone;concerning the sensors of the first group 1, 2, 3 located on thepassageway between the central zone or and the radial zones, themovement through them is more intuitive, for example sliding on the edgeat the right or the left of the figure, concerning respectively sensors1 and 3, or running in the centre on sensor 2, when a user issufficiently trained. Even in this case, however, a reference forguiding the activation member for selecting the sensors of the firstgroup can be provided, such as grooves or ridges.

To assist in any case to reach precisely all these sensors the followingadditional arrangements are preferably required:

-   -   firstly, the drive logic can be made preferably in order to have        instantly on the display the character or symbol corresponding        to the sensor that each time is obtained by the selection key;        thus, the user can test immediately if this character ox symbol        is correct,    -   then provided on a display a diagram can be for easily reading        the positions that can be reached by the selection key and the        corresponding characters obtainable;    -   finally, as already said, if the sensors are proximity sensors,        the selection key passing between two sensors is in any case        detected, and the choice of the character is made by a control        routine that chooses the stronger signal on the nearest sensor;        control routine can discriminate the signal corresponding to the        nearest sensor according to the features of the signal detected,        except from errors or failure of the system, but also in these        cases the user has always the possibility to cancel the possible        wrong character and to select a correct signal.

The choice of the characters is immediate, for having a quick selection.In case of error, once the selected character has been shown on thedisplay, the user can cancel it maintaining the selection key on thesame sensor for a longer time, at the end of which the control routineprovides to its cancellation and the user can then select a correctcharacter.

-   -   Alternatively, the logic of drive cannot select instantly a        character, but it has to wait a confirmation from the user; such        a confirmation can be given, for example, with a short pressure        on the selection key or, in an easier way, on a short stop of        the selection key at the chosen sensor.

The control routine proceeds for example according to the flow-sheet ofFIG. 7, but it is clear that this diagram is purely exemplary and askilled person can provide different equivalent softwares. In FIG. 7 as“preselection” the activation has been indicated of a sensor of thefirst group, and with “selection” the activation of a sensor of thesecond group has been indicated.

In this control routine a deleting mode can be provided, for example, asalready said, with permanence of the selection key on a respectivesensor for a longer time letting the operator to choose then anothersymbol or character it will move then to another position of the samezone, if the symbol is along the same path, or it will follow adifferent path in the same zone, or it will enter different zonesaccording to the above described procedures. Actually, the controlroutine is such that when exiting from a zone the coding operations arenot affected, but only cancelling the previous pre-selections.

It is also possible that, alternatively, stopping on a whichever sensorof the first group, a single and progressive cancellation is activated.Alternatively, the function of cancellation can be achieved by followinga succession of a determined sensor of the first group and of one of thesecond group.

It is in any case clear the essential difference of the arrangementaccording to the invention with respect to the prior art. In the latterfor example in a remote control (FIG. 20), in the portable computers(FIG. 22) or in mobile phones (FIG. 24), the choice of differentcharacters is obtained through on a number more or less high ofselection keys. In particular, in case of the mobile phones, on at leastten keys, corresponding to the numbers from 0 to 9, and furthermore,pressing again the keys to obtain characters arranged in groups of theeor four. According to the present invention, instead, operation of asingle selection key is required, in single or double configurationaccording to various applications and structures, i.e. the keyassociated to the central sensor 10, as shown in FIG. 21 in remotecontrols, in FIG. 23 in portable computers, and in FIGS. 25 and 26 formobile phones.

In addition to what described above with reference to FIG. 1, that, inthe arrangement as representsta, allows determining the choice of an onsixty characters to arranging, is to the carried of a skilled person toprovide the logic of drive in order to ampliare the number of charactersfrom choose. For example, it is possible to consider two differentsituations of the selection key:

-   -   key subject to a pressure towards the sensor, and    -   arresto timeraneo of the selection key, for at least one time        predetermined, at the sensor.

These two situations could being used for allowing for example of movesfrom the digitation of a character minuscolo to the digitation of thesame character maiuscolo and respectively for allowing the sending thecharacter selected. In this way is raddoppia the number of characters orsymbols that the device according to the invention is capable ofdigitare.

and ancora, a pressure of the selection key in the central position, onthe activation member 10, it could that can be commutare the logic ofdrive between different programs, for associate then to the differentsensors further achieved of the functions different from the of the easytransmission of characters, as of the remainder abitual in the tastiereof cellular telephones.

For example, in the central position or it could being provided aposition sensor ribassato with respect to all the other (not shown inthe figures) so that the resilient means provided riportino in centrethe activation member and allows the milkr to reach the sensor ribassatopush on the same and operating thus a signal that can affect all thekeyboard. Cenvironments the program is change type of scrittura, ischangano the symbols, is passes through from maiuscolo to minuscolo,etc.

The stiffness of the solution according to the invention is immediatelyif is pensa to the reduced size that can be obtained.

FIG. 2 shows, very diagrammatically, a first way of operation of thepresent invention, with the matrix structure formed in a plane 11, madeup of actually by two plates coupled 11′ and 11″, of which the plateupper 11′ defines a contour that defines the zone A, B, C and D and theplate lower 11″ porta the sensors associated to each zona. with thisstructure plane can be using, as selection key, in addition to theslider shown in figures from 8 to 11, also a stilo of drive (del typealready known in devices electronic type “palm top”), whose tip iscarried out slide in the plane of the sensors, guided in starts from thesupport on the contour in determinedon of delimitation to the zone ofmatrix.

In this shape of esecution purely exemplary can be working resting atfirst the stilo to the centre, on the activation member 10, to the onlyobject of activating the matrix, and then causing slide the tip of thestilo on the surface bringing the sensors, towards one of the radialzones, causing it to then pass firstly on an of the sensors 1, 2, 3 ofthe first group of sensors and then porting it to contact with one ofthe sensors 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 of the second group.

Alternatively, it is possible to use, as already said, to a rod or leverof manoeuvre hinged to the centre, i.e. to a slider movable in the planeof the sensors 1 to 8, but that cannot escape out of this plane, forexample held by a system to spring or by a membrane resilient capable offollow moves itming on said plane, without raise by the same.

FIGS. 3 and 4, as well as FIGS. 12-14, show instead, always verydiagrammatically, a second exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention, with the matrix structure formed on of a calotta spherical.Parallel to what visto for arranging second FIG. 2, the calottaspherical comprises a first surface 12, on which are located the sensorsfrom 1 to 8, and by a seconda surface 13, on which are made of thewindow 14 of delimitation to the areas or, A, B, C and D. within to therecess consisting the two calotte coupled is inserted, as shows inparticular, FIG. 3, a ball of control 15, having an appendice guiding16; this appendices which is capable of moving within the window 14 forbeing from these guided towards the sensors from 1 to 8, causes its endthe element active, i.e. The activation member 10, capable of activatingthe different other sensors, relevant an each zone, as previously shown,located on the surface 12.

More precisely, the appendice guiding 16 can be magnetic, arranged withits own axis coincident with the axis pole of the ball and protruding bythe surface spherical of a measure the same as the thickness of thecalotta spherical 13 containing the track of control consisting thewindow 14. This way, a base surface 10 of said appendice 16, istangential to to the inner surface of the calotta spherical 12, on whichare located the sensors 1 to 8, adapted to being activated according tothe logic shown, for calculate of the passage and of the position of theselection key associated to appendice 16.

The term “calotta spherical” Notwithstanding the representation offigures from 3 to 5 both that indeed of a ball has to be instretched ina direction purely exemplifying: is in fact to the carried of a skilledperson pensare to the use of an another desired surface to curvedturefinita, having a centre or an axis of rotation. In case of theembodiment to calotta 15, or another desired form, can be provided arecess 15′, or a determinedon or a surface riged or knurled, to assistto grip by the user.

As is comprises immediately, the disegno of FIG. 1 can berepresentstivo, to the inabout, also of the proiection of the sphericalportion 12, 13, seen from the pole upper, in a plane tangential to tothe ball pole lower. The element active or activation member 10associated to appendice guiding 16 has then function equivalent to thatof the element 10 of FIG. 1, put in the tip of the stilo used in theexemplary embodiment of FIG. 2.

The ball 15 is operated causingla for example rotate for frition withthe tip of a finger that is rests on its part upper: when the ball iscarried out thus rotate, the appendice cylindrical 16 doted of theactivation member 10 is moved in turn, sliding firstly on the sensors 1,2, 3 of the first group and then the sensors 4 to 8 of the second group,all associated to the ball 12; the motion of the activation member 10near one of the sensors 1 to 8 provides an electric signal in the wayalready described with reference to FIG. 1, on the ball can berepresentsto, for example, the disegno of the cloverleaf with thesensors of the first and second group and relative function.

The mode of operation remain the samee in case of the configurationshown in FIG. 5, where different is only operating made by a lever ofmanoeuvre 18, integral to the ball 15. In this case, the ball 15 ishowever contained within two calotte sferic opposite, and the window 14forming the radial zones of the cloverleaf carry out function guidingthe lever 18. is not any more provided an appendice guiding 16, bensi asensor 16′ (per example a magnet) incorporated in the ball 15 inposition diametrally opposite to the lever 18.

Appaiono at this point apparent the advantages of the invention withrespect to the state of the art existing, particularly versus cost andexpecially of possablety of miniaturization of the devices, being thediscrimination due to devices to solid state than to apparati mechanicalwith mode much known by the state of the art, which here is not the caseof dewritten.

In the description it has not been fact reference to the techniques ofembodiment for assembling the device in its different forme, sincebelonging to techniques known and not condizionanti the Novelty of theinvention.

In the description has been fact reference to variation of magneticfield, but the sensors could being carried out in order to to exploitanother desired technique as the variation of capacity, techniquesoptical, matrix of phototransistor, or the features of conductivity ofmicrotransistor on substrate polymeric—according to the sviluppi of thenanotecnlogie, of the microelectronic or other much conosciuti andsuggested by the skilled person.

Always in the description has been fact reference to a display, whichcan be in addition to that of a telephone, palmtop etc., also a displayauxiliary to assist the selection of the symbols. on in a zone of thedisplay can be owing to the scritture with the symbols that ishighlightsno further when are activated by the slider.

The foregoing description of a specific embodiment will so fully revealthe invention according to the conceptual point of view, so that others,applying current knowledge, will be able to modify and/or adapt forvarious applications such an embodiment without further research andwithout parting from the invention, and it is therefore to be understoodthat such adaptations and modifications will have to be considered asequivalent to the specific embodiment. The means and the materials torealise the different functions described herein could have a differentnature without, for this reasons departing from the field of theinvention. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminologyemployed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

1-14. (canceled)
 15. Device for selection of symbols, such ascharacters, icons and/or multiple choices, comprising: a matrix carryinga plurality of sensors split into a first group of sensors havingfunction of choice and at least a second group of sensors associatedeach to a limited number of said symbols, an activation member of saidsensors, adapted to slide relative to said sensors in order to bebrought at least partially in coincidence with one of said sensors thusproducing a corresponding selection signal; a selection key which can beoperated manually for bringing in turn said activation member to selecta first sensor belonging to said first group and then a second sensorbelonging to said second group, said sensors being distributed on saidmatrix according to modular zones, comprising a central zone and radialsector zones angularly equidistant, the sensors of the first group beinglocated in a passageway between said central zone and each of saidradial sector zones, and the sensors of the second group being locatedwithin said radial sector zones, means for guiding, at least partially,said selection key for determining the relative movement of saidactivation member with respect to said sensors, said guiding meansconsisting of edges in relief of said radial sector zones, said sensorsof said second group being on said edges in relief a control unitadapted to identify each sensor of said first and second group selectedby said activation member, and, for each selected sensor of the secondgroup, to choose univocally one among the limited number of symbolsassociated to said sensor of the second group responsive to which sensorof the first group had been selected immediately before by saidactivation member.
 16. Device according to claim 15 wherein saidactivation member is located at rest in a central position, said sensorsof the first group are located in a position around said centralposition, and said sensors of the second group are located in a positionexternal to the sensors of the first group with respect to said centralposition, whereby for reaching a sensor of the second group said keymust pass on a sensor of the first group, activating it.
 17. Deviceaccording to claim 15 wherein said activation member is integral to saidselection key and said matrix of sensors is in fixed position. 18.Device according to claim 15 wherein said activation member is integralto said matrix of sensors and said selection key is in fixed position.19. Device according to claim 15 wherein said matrix of sensors isformed on a surface selected from the group comprised of: a planesurface, a curved surface.
 20. Device according to claim 15 wherein saidsensors of said second group are arranged according to recesses definedby said edges in relief or other modular shapes that assist theirselection.
 21. Device according to claim 15 wherein said activationmember is a magnet and said sensors are proximity sensors.
 22. Deviceaccording to claim 15 comprising three overlapped elements with a plane,spherical, curved, shape, etc., of which a first element provides saidmatrix of sensors, a second element provides said selection key and saidactivation member and slides with respect to said first element, and athird element comprises guiding paths for said selection key and isintegral to said first element.
 23. A method for selection of symbols,such as characters, icons and/or multiple choices, comprising the stepsof: prearranging a matrix carrying a plurality of sensors split into afirst group of sensors having function of choice and at least a secondgroup of sensors associated each to a limited number of said symbols,activating said sensors, bringing an activation member at leastpartially in coincidence with one of said sensors thus producing acorresponding selection signal, wherein said activation member isbrought in turn on a first sensor belonging to said first group and thena second sensor belonging to said second group, identifying each sensorof said first and second group selected by said activation member, and,for each selected sensor of the second group, choosing univocally oneamong the limited number of symbols associated to said sensor of thesecond group responsive to which sensor of the first group had beenselected immediately before by said activation member.
 24. Method forselection of symbols according to claim 23, characterised in that it iscarried out with a device comprising: a matrix carrying a plurality ofsensors split into a first group of sensors having function of choiceand at least a second group of sensors associated each to a limitednumber of said symbols, an activation member of said sensors, adapted toslide relative to said sensors in order to be brought at least partiallyin coincidence with one of said sensors thus producing a correspondingselection signal; a selection key which can be operated manually forbringing in turn said activation member to select a first sensorbelonging to said first group and then a second sensor belonging to saidsecond group, said sensors being distributed on said matrix according tomodular zones, comprising a central zone and radial sector zonesangularly equidistant, the sensors of the first group being located in apassageway between said central zone and each of said radial sectorzones, and the sensors of the second group being located within saidradial sector zones, means for guiding, at least partially, saidselection key for determining the relative movement of said activationmember with respect to said sensors, said guiding means consisting ofedges in relief of said radial sector zones, said sensors of said secondgroup baing on said edges in relief a control unit adapted to identifyeach sensor of said first and second group selected by said activationmember, and, for each selected sensor of the second group, to chooseunivocally one among the limited number of symbols associated to saidsensor of the second group responsive to which sensor of the first grouphad been selected immediately before by said activation member.